RIP

In the graphics and print industry this stands for Raster Image Processor, which is hardware and software technology used to convert vector based images to bit-mapped files for printing. In audio the acronym has been borrowed for the phrase Audio Rip, or Audio Ripping. This is loosely the same sort of process. An audio RIP takes CD audio files from a compact disk and outputs them in a standard binary format that can be utilized (read) by any number of digital audio software applications. Anytime you import audio from a CD directly into a digital audio program (as opposed to simply recording it in) you are “ripping” the audio.